Philosopher and educator Jean-Jacques Rousseau once asked, "What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?" In a world filled with rudeness, violence, and insensitivity to the needs of others, this virtue needs to be reclaimed and elevated. Dr. Donald McCullough, President of the San Francisco Theological Seminary and professor of theology and preaching there, writes: "Little acts of courtesy can have a big role in creating a more humane humanity."
The author opens up a wide repertoire of practices that can serve as an antidote to the incivility of our times. Some of these include upholding the standard of punctuality, waiting your turn in line, being generous with tips, respecting elders, valuing the property of others, and paying your debts.
Dr. McCullough's stories help illustrate the sturdy worth of being a good listener, accepting responsibility for your failures, acknowledging sexual boundaries, and speaking the truth in love. The respect we owe others is highlighted in all the world's religions. Dr. McCullough makes it clear that kindness is a spiritual skill very much needed in our hurried and worrisome world.
